Extra Substances In Ear

Apart from the pathological conditions associated with the ear, other very commonly encountered problems include presence of ear wax (also called cerumen) or foreign bodies.

Ear Wax

Wax is secreted in the outer third of the external auditory canal of the ear and this wax protects against maceration. The wax is a mixture of secretions of the sweat glands, hair, debris and dirt. It is present in the cartilage portion of the ear. Ear wax has a protective function of lubrication and prevents the foreign material to enter the ear canal.

The wax forms a tight plug in the ear causing impairment in hearing, tinnitus (ringing sensation), earache, blocked sensation and sometimes vertigo (dizziness).

Nature has made the ear as a self-cleaning organ. Normally the wax comes out from the canal through the aid provided by the jaw movements. Cotton buds are unnecessary and may lead to conductive deafness and discomfort.

Hard impacted wax is removed by softening it oil drops like almond oil or sodium bicarbonate daily for a week. Syringing is also an option for hardly impacted wax but it should not be done if the tympanic membrane is perforated. Suction under direct vision using a microscope is also an optimal treatment.

Foreign bodies of ear

Foreign bodies in the ear may be non-living or even living object. Children may insert foreign bodies in the ear like paper, grains, pencil, chalk and many such things. Adults are often seen with broken part of matchstick in the ear. These foreign bodies swell up in the ear and get impacted in the ear and may even suppurate.

Living objects such as flying or crawling objects such as fly, mosquito ant, cockroach etc may also enter the ear canal and cause irritation and pain. These must never be tried to catch alive, rather should be killed by installing oil or spirit and must be removed afterwords.

Removal of foreign bodies is also through the same means as in case of ear wax.